Modern Moog Modular?

EricK · Post by **EricK** » Fri Dec 26, 2008 10:17 pm

Oh,
For what its worth, I did get the Voyager Select, Vx351, Delay, Freqbox, Cp251, and a Rack Frame with blank panels and my rack cabinet, so Despite the fact that I didn't get any modules for CHristmas.....ive had the most expensive year ever!

(its only going to get worse and I think my wife is going to murder me)

Eric

JohnLRice · Post by **JohnLRice** » Fri Dec 26, 2008 11:03 pm

EricK wrote:NO.

I think Mike Bucki will be the first one to tell you that they simply won't sound like a Moog.

I did get the downpayment for the taurus pedals, thats why my eunich 921a will stay that way for at least another year.

I just hope by the time I get my degree, Mike won't be retired or worse!

Basically you want the Moog filter? There it is, the original one right there. ALl the control inputs and sound of the opriginal and they are even built in those clunky space consuming module housings lol.

dotcom synths are probably the way to go if you want to get as close to Moog as possible and not spend the moolah.

BUT, while people say that with those you are paying for the Mog name only, you are paying for the sound and the quality.

If Bob didn't put his hands on it, MoogCE is the next best thing.

Thanks Eric!

I think I won't have a problem just enjoying my MOTM filters, they sound pretty "Moogy" and in general awesome to me!

I have 2

MOTM-490 VCF's (Moog 904A clone):
https://www.synthtech.com/demo/m490seq1.mp3
https://www.synthtech.com/demo/490_demo2.mp3

I also have the MOTM-440 (Prophet 5 etc clone):
https://www.synthtech.com/demo/440_lead.mp3
https://www.synthtech.com/demo/440_recorder.mp3

And I have a MOTM-485 on order (Yamaha GX-1 clone):
http://www.synthtech.com/demo/485_sine.mp3

And . . I definitely want to get a STG Sea Devils Filter! (EMS and/or Buchla clone???):
http://stgsoundlabs.com/demos/sea_devil ... mo_one.mp3

and and and . . .after that I probably should get a nice multi mode filter (seems everything I have is LP!) and a fixed filter bank and . . . .

EricK · Post by **EricK** » Sat Dec 27, 2008 12:16 am

Show us some pics!

Sounds very nice.

Eric

JohnLRice · Post by **JohnLRice** » Sat Dec 27, 2008 1:24 am

EricK wrote:Show us some pics!
Sounds very nice.
Eric

Keep in mind I didn't create any of those audio samples, they are from the manufacturer's websites!

My system had been down and partially taken apart this month because I'm trying to put together the power supply for the second cabinet. I redid some of the wiring and added some output/test jacks on the first power supply too. Here's a pic of that:

Here is a pic of my first two cabinets from the begining of the month. A work in progress!

It's most Synth Tech MOTM except where noted:

The left cabinet has:
5 VCOs
2 dual VCA/ring modulators
3 VCFs
4 EGs
1 Oakley mixer (not finished, panel shown)
1 DIY with BrideChamber panel multiples (not shown)
1 DIY MFOS 16 step sequencer (not finished or shown)
1 DIY power supply

The right cabinet has:
1 VC Lag
1 VC LFO
1 quad LFO
1 noise/sample&hold
1 Tellun Neural Agonizer reverb (not finished, BrideChamber panel and tanks on shelf shown)
1 quad MIDI-CV converter
1 VC pulse divider (not shown, on order)
1 Oakley mixer (not finished, panel on order)
1 dual VC router
1 Oakley Phaser
1 Wave Warper
1 Oakley envelope follower gate (not finished or shown)
1 Oakley Little Lag (not finished or shown)
1 set of DIY multiples (not finished or shown)
1 DIY power supply

A third cabinet is in the process of being built too. It will contain the following until I change my mind again!
1 Synthesizers.com Q960 sequencer (haven't ordered yet)
1 Synthesizers.com Q125 signal processor (have)
1 STG Sea Devils VCF (haven't ordered yet)
1 COTK Ensemble Generator (on order! woot!)
1 Moon Modular sequentail divider switch (haven't ordered yet)
1 Moon Modular quad quantizer (haven't ordered yet)
1 rack (edit: just ordered!

)
2 rack frames (have)
1 small DotCom power supply (bought via Ebay. I may make one of the beefier ones like are in the other two cabinets in the future)

The FOURTH cabinet is still just a twinkle in my greedy little eye . . . but . . it may actually happen before this time next year!

I know it's not really Moog content but . . .when I get things updated I'll post a new picture with the Minimoog controlling the modular!

EricK · Post by **EricK** » Sat Dec 27, 2008 1:42 am

What kind of cabinets are those?

Nice synth porn!

Eric

JohnLRice · Post by **JohnLRice** » Sat Dec 27, 2008 1:56 am

EricK wrote:What kind of cabinets are those?

Nice synth porn!

Eric

Thanks! Sometimes I'm not sure which I like better, the sound and musical capabilities of synths or the PORN!

The cabinets are EWI Tourcase and they are an increadible deal! The ones pictured are only $125 each!!!!!

http://www.audiopile.net/products/Cases ... s_page.asp

Anna's Digit · Post by **Anna's Digit** » Sat Dec 27, 2008 5:40 am

Demokid wrote:Don’t know if the .COM sounds similar to a Moog Modular since I never tested a real Moog Modular. What I can say is that the .COM has a very pleasant warm and organic moogy sound. The transistor ladder filter sounds a bit different then my Moog’s but in a good way, it has it’s own sound. I like the sound especially since the output level is not reduced when resonance is increased. This feature is jumper-selectable so you can get the Moog type sound where the output level is reduced but I find it very usable.

I have only heard positive comments from COTK users. I know COTK had some early quality problems but it was a long time ago. I’m planning to buy their 48bD/Oct VCF.

Kind regards
Demokid

nice

GregAE · Post by **GregAE** » Sat Dec 27, 2008 1:02 pm

Excellent workmanship on the modular, John!

Congrats and thanks for sharing this!

MarkM · Post by **MarkM** » Sat Dec 27, 2008 5:37 pm

That modular looks great. I imagine it sounds even better. Those cabinets are impressive. If I ever go mod, I would like those kind of cabs. They look like they would be a good choice for setting up in live performance venues.

JohnLRice · Post by **JohnLRice** » Sat Dec 27, 2008 6:59 pm

thanks guys. Yes, my intent is to someday do live performances so that's why I went with the road cases instead of wood studio racks. I REALLY love the way modulars look in nice wood, but maybe someday if I win the lottery I'll have a road synth AND a studio synth!

JohnLRice · Post by **JohnLRice** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 10:11 am

Hey all!

Not to beat a dead thread but . . .

I put up two videos showing a couple different aspects of the MOTM-485 VCF that I mentioned here earlier.

Here's some o the bizzarr stuff it does:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5h7BZaaL3A&fmt=18

And here is some mellow stuff:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQW7gSM26kM&fmt=18

Kevin Lightner · Post by **Kevin Lightner** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 3:07 pm

Fwiw, I am just completing a single-space Moog filter.
It's a Synth.com blank panel with a Minimoog filter clone behind.
I was going to put it on Ebay, but maybe someone here will want it.
I A/B'd the audio of it against a Taurus 2, which has a later non-discrete filter and it sounded much better to my ears, especially in the bottom-end.
I have no idea of the price it should sell for, hence the auction.
Maybe if someone wants it here, they can offer something reasonable.
It won't be completed for about another 2 weeks, so there's a bit of time to decide.

Here's the text I wrote for the auction:

Minimoog filter clone

This filter is an extremely close clone of a Minimoog model D filter.
Unlike many other "cloned" Moog or ladder filters, this filter is exactly true to the original Minimoog design.

Features
All discrete components. (no integrated circuits - no opamps - no transistor arrays)
Original transistor part numbers
Original component values
Original single-sided board basic layout
Original +10 / -10 volt powered (internal regulators allow usage on +15 / -15 volts)

Construction details
Transistors were hand matched.
Board is hand-drawn, etched, drilled and soldered.
Etching done via reverse vinyl cutter resist / etchant method.
Housed behind blank Synthesizers.com panel.
Knobs are original Cosmo "Moog" styles (same as a Minimoog.)
Jacks are Switchcraft (same as a Minimoog.)

User controls
Three controls (same as a Minimoog):
Frequency
Emphasis (resonance)
CV depth

Interface jacks
Audio input
Audio output
3 CV inputs
(Rightmost jack is sent through the CV depth control.
Left two jacks are direct CV inputs.)

Performance
Filter performs exactly like a Minimoog filter.
Overdrive and resonance conditions are the same.
Filter is precalibrated to 1v/oct tracking.

Power requirements
+15 to +30v, -15 to -30v (any bipolar voltages between 15 and 30 volts.)
Current draw: +25mA -25mA (measured with +/- 15 volts input)

Trigger · Post by **Trigger** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 5:19 pm

Kevin:

Can you post a pic when you're done?

EricK · Post by **EricK** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 6:20 pm

Oh man!
Kevin you can probably get 300 for it...considering that you did it yourself maybe more. We all know there won't be any technical issues with it.

Let voltor find out about it and he'll throw down a second mortgage just to have first dibs lol.

Eric

Have you figured out how you are going to power it?

Kevin Lightner · Post by **Kevin Lightner** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 6:51 pm

I'll post a pic, but it won't be anything special.
Not even sure it will be labeled.

It'll work on just about any voltage.
You could power it with most present-day supplies.
It takes very little current.
It will also work fine at Moog modular voltages (+12, -6), but it overdrives more easily and probably doesn't track.
I haven't checked tracking outside of its design voltage (+10, -10)

As for Voltor, I think it would be a toss-up between this filter and the Chuck Norris pajamas he's been pining over.